COVID-19 Lockdown: DISCOs Finally Agrees To Supply Nigerians Free Electricity For Two Months

Published: April 21, 2020

The 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have said they will align with the bill which proposed free electricity supply to all Nigerians for two months.

This is coming following a proposition by the Federal Government and National Assembly to cushion the hardship occasioned by the dreaded coronavirus disease in the country.

KanyiDaily had reported that the leadership of the National Assembly met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, to discuss the issue of providing free electricity for Nigerians.

The DISCOs operating under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) promised to deliver the free electricity supply for two months, to make life easier for Nigerians during the lockdown period.

A statement issued on Monday night by Barr Sunday Oduntan, the Executive Director, Research & Advocacy of ANED, and spokesperson for DISCOs, reads:

“The Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, recognise the challenging effects of the coronavirus, COVID-19 on the economic and daily lives of our customers.

“In fulfilment our commitments to the nation, we hereby align ourselves with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by our customers and other citizens all over the country.
“We commend the Federal Legislators, the Executive arm and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, for their initiative and we are committed to working with them to ensure more efficient power supply within this difficult period, as the nation battles with the ravages of COVID-19.
“We are also completely aligned with the plans to ensure palliative measures, including free electricity supply to all Nigerians for two months, to make life easier, during the lockdown period. Details of implementation to come soon.
“Again, as a key utility player in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI, we hereby reiterate our commitment to improving service delivery to the nation during this pandemic period and thereafter.”

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